Q: The prosecuting attorney has informed me that the Feds would be picking up my case. How long will I have to wait for a
federal indictment telling me the charges that will be brought against me?
A: Hire a lawyer ASAP. You lawyer can immediately contact the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) assigned to the case, and start crucial conversations, negotiations and efforts to steer the direction of the prosecution. The key time to work the best possible deal (if a deal is in your interest) is now, before there is an indictment. That can limit the charges, or a pre-indictment plea agreement on lesser offenses can be worked out, with known sentencing ranges and options. How you are turned in on the charges, or pre-trial release until an agreed trial date or plea date, can also be worked out at this stage. Sitting around waiting for the feds to indict is not a smart strategy.
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